The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · Character
Olympian Jupiter
Also known as Olympian Zeus, Zeus
- Minor
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 14
There's something timeless and serene about this Olympian form of Jupiter, whose classical perfection embodies the Greek ideal of divine beauty translated into Roman worship. His presence carries the weight of philosophical as well as religious significance.
- Gender
- male
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 14
- Books
- 1
Olympian Jupiter, known to the Greeks as Zeus, represented the supreme deity in his most philosophical and aesthetically refined form. As with other manifestations of Jupiter, his altars were approached with the characteristic Roman combination of public reverence and the private skepticism that marked the educated classes of the later empire.
Description
A supreme classical deity of magnificent proportions, with a powerful athletic build and the flowing white hair and beard that mark divine maturity in classical art. He wears a simple but elegant himation draped artfully over one shoulder, while his serene features embody the Greek ideal of divine beauty. He carries the traditional symbols of cosmic authority—a scepter and eagle—with effortless divine dignity.
Story so far
BOOK 1The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire / Table of Contents with links in the HTML file to the two Project Gutenberg editions (12 volumes)
Appearances
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